Chapter 44: Paradise Lost
"Ugh…"
As Ash came to, he came to the realization that they were no longer on Poni Island, but instead back on Aether Paradise. When he tried to move, he found that he was completely tied up. Ilima, Lillie, and Hapu were there as well, struggling to escape their bonds.
"Thought you would never wake up. The boss wouldn't like that."
Ash turned to find Rose and Alex sneering at them. Ash narrowed his eyes, coming to a realization.
"How do I keep falling for these disguises?"
Sure enough, the two threw off their disguises to reveal Jesse and James standing in their place.
"Don't even try to break out, we tied you four up good."
"Where's Pikachu?"
"And Nebby!"
"Oh, don't worry, they're nice in safe in their cages waiting for the boss to arrive. They'll make a nice present for the boss, and that Cosmog will be the final piece of the puzzle that we need."
"Ta ta!"
With that, the two walked off laughing as Ash and friends tried to break out of their bindings to no avail.
Lusamine glared at her captors as they messed around her laboratory, hooking Nebby up to a mass array of wires and tubes. Faba strolled over to her, smirking confidently as always.
"Well well well, looks like the tables have turned."
"Why Faba? After all these years…"
"Precisely, all these years under yours and Mohn's shadows! All my research into the Ultra Beasts ignored. My research would've revolutionized the scientific world!"
"And destroyed half of Alola! You have no idea the power that you are dealing with."
"Sacrifices need to be made at times in the name of science, not that I expect you to understand that. Now if you excuse me, Proton needs me to finish preparations. Try to enjoy the last precious minutes you have left."
Lusamine could only shed silent tears as she was left to her thoughts.
"Gladion, Lillie, please be safe."
As Ash and Co tried to untie themselves, a new grunt walked over to their guards.
"I'm to relieve you of your post. Ariana needs you for an important assignment."
"Oh yeah? Well, too bad. I was told to watch these punks until Giovanni gets here, and I'm not leaving."
"Alright then, I'll just tell Arianna you're not doing your job. I'm sure she'll understand."
Not wanting to risk it, the grunts grumbled and left. The grunt then turned and began untying Ash, much to his confusion.
"What are you-"
"It's alright, I'm on your side."
After untying everyone, the grunt lowered his disguise to reveal…
"Looker?"
"Long time no see, Ash."
"Ash, you know him?"
"Yeah, this is Looker of the International Police. I met him in Sinnoh, but what are you doing here?"
"We got a tip that Team Rocket has been planning something big in the Alola region, so they sent me undercover to investigate. Apparently, they've been conducting research into something called Ultra Wormholes. I've called for backup, but it'll be a while until they arrive."
"We need to save Nebby! That's the key to their plans."
"Alright, but you need to do exactly as I say. Put these on and follow me."
After disguising themselves, Looker lead them down a hall to a storage room containing rows and rows of Pokémon trapped in cages.
"They took yours all of the staff's Pokémon and stored them here."
Ash immediately found his Pikachu, who perked up immediately when he saw his trainer.
"Pika!"
"Don't worry, buddy, we'll get you out of there."
It took them a while to locate all of their Pokémon, but eventually everyone was reunited. Lillie in particular was practically in tears when she found Snowy.
"Vul!"
"Snowy! There there, it's alright now."
"Hey, you're not supposed to be in here!"
Everyone turned to see the grunts from earlier, looking mad as Tauros.
"I'm beginning to think you're not a real member of Team Rocket!"
"Lets get him!"
But before anyone could move, the two grunts were struck from behind, collapsing in a heap on the floor. Gladion straightened himself before turning to the others.
"Good thing I came along. You guys alright?"
"We're fine, but they got Nebby!"
"WHAT!"
Gladion picked Ash up and slammed him against a wall, rage evident in his eyes.
"I told you to take care of, to not let it fall into the wrong hands! I. TRUSTED. YOU!"
"Gladion, stop! Its not his fault, we were tricked! They all did everything they could to protect me! Besides, now isn't the time to do this. If we want to rescue mother, we need to work together!"
Realizing Lillie was right, Gladion relaxed, letting go of Ash before sighing.
"You're right, fighting won't solve anything."
"Wait a minute, your mother? Don't tell me…"
After exchanging looks, Gladion and Lillie turned to everyone.
"Yes, our mother…is Lusamine."
